This page serves as your one-stop-shop for information on the NFC East that should lead you to the most intelligent bets. Included is a recap of the 2019 season, what can be expected in 2020, NFC East division history, and how you can bet on division winners.
However, before diving headlong into putting all your money down on a winner, consider your options. Shop around at several outlets (DraftKings, FanDuel, FOX Bet) to find the most optimal odds; just because one site lists Dallas at -175 to win the division doesn’t mean they all will. With that said, let’s take a look at the NFC East.
2020 NFC East odds
2019 NFC East results
Philadelphia couldn’t have served the division up to Dallas on a shinier silver platter, but the Cowboys absolutely refused to take it. Injuries ravaged the receiving corps, leaving Carson Wentz two tight ends and a handful of practice squad players to throw to. Despite that, Wentz tossed for over 4,000 yards (9th in the league), 27 touchdowns (5th), and just seven interceptions. The Eagles managed to drop games to Atlanta and Detroit early, then lost three straight off their bye week (including a massive implosion against Miami in week 13). Philly limped to the finish line in first place, then was immediately bounced by Seattle in the NFC Wild Card Round. Vegas oddsmakers were happy with the result– they marked the Eagles +100 favorites in the preseason.
The aforementioned Cowboys (+110 to win 2019 division) had one of the most disappointing seasons in the entire NFL. Coming off a 10-6 season, Dallas went 4-5 across the final stretch of the season and effectively declared they did not want the NFC East title. The 8-8 record was mostly highlighted by losses to the Jets and Bears in weeks six and 13, respectively, finalized by a 17-9 loss to half an Eagles roster. The offense was inconsistent at best, scoring 30 or more eight times and failing to score 17 points four times. But not all was doom and gloom in Arlington, Dak Prescott finished 2nd in the league in passing yards (4,902) and 4th in passing touchdowns (30); Ezekiel Elliott once again proved he is reliable, rushing for 1,357 yards (4th) and 12 touchdowns (t-5th). The defense ranked 9th in yards per play (5.2) and QB knockdowns (49). However, the implosions were theatrical and it was once again not Dallas’ year.
If the Giants were anything, it was interesting. At just +1100 odds to win the division in 2019 and an over/under win total of 5.5, the expectations in New York were low. It took first-round pick Daniel Jones just two games to take the starting job from rapidly-deteriorating Eli Manning and the rookie won his first two starts. However, eight straight losses, a league-leading 18 (!!!) fumbles, and a 3-10 record as a starter put a very wet blanket on the “Danny Dimes” hype train. Things weren’t much better in Washington, DC, where the artist-formerly-known as the Redskins limped to a 3-13 record with uninspiring wins over Miami, Carolina, and Detroit (0-6 record in-division). Like the Giants, expectations were low (+900 odds to win division). However, even those were not met as rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins looked atrocious. He completed under 59% of his passes, had a 7-7 TD-INT ratio, and mustered just 6.7 yards per pass attempt.
Although the path to the finish line was a wild ride emphasized by injuries and incredible collapses, the NFC shaped up to be a mostly-predicted league. In the end, it was a forgettable year for nearly everyone involved.
2020 NFC East outlook and predictions
Depending on who you ask, the Dallas Cowboys are looking like early favorites to take the 2020 NFC East title. Jason Garrett is out as head coach and Super Bowl champion Mike McCarthy is in. McCarthy has been notorious for his work with Hall of Fame quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers which should mean good things for Dak Prescott. The 5th-year veteran fought a long and dragged out battle with the Cowboys over a contract extension that ultimately ended in a $31.4 million franchise tag being placed on Prescott. Dallas landed a few high-profile free agents, namely Gerald McCoy and Greg Zuerlein. They also had a highly-touted draft class that included CeeDee Lamb essentially being gifted to them in the mid-first round.
Doug Peterson is looking forward to having a full arsenal of weapons for Carson Wentz in 2020, notably DeSean Jackson, who is returning from a season-long injury, and rookie receiver Jalen Reagor. The emergence of Miles Sanders last season was reason for excitement and should be featured as the premiere back. Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks suffered his second torn achilles of his career in June and is likely to miss the season, which prompted Philadelphia to re-sign 16-year vet Jason Peters. If last season proved anything, it was that the Eagles are serious contenders, even while being riddled with injuries. The Eagles (+140) come in second for odds to take the NFC East this year.
It’s been a busy offseason for the New York Football Giants; they completely turned over their coaching staff, signed a respected draft class, and saw captain Nate Solder opt out for the season. In comes Joe Judge, an experimental coach who last spent time in New England as a special teams assistant and coach. Judge brought in former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett to be the offensive coordinator, along with a host of other assistants. Daniel Jones enters his second year in the NFL after a wild rookie year and hopes to have a fully healthy Saquon Barkley by his side, who missed three weeks due to injury last year. The expectations are still moderate, with the Giants (+900) longshots for the division and projected at just 6.5 wins by VegasInsider.
What a mess of an offseason for the Washington Football Team, most of which is best left off this page. After all the public team drama, starter-to-be Derrius Guice was arrested and promptly cut by the team on August 7; that leaves a crowded running back room with no discernible starter. Dwayne Haskins is looking to build this coming year under new head coach Ron Rivera and the entire Washington football staff is looking to correct the ship. Expectations are low for Washington (+1300), who are likely looking for the highest draft pick rather than a potential playoff berth. This season will likely be a learning one with eyes set on 2021.
It’s the same song and dance in 2020, with Dallas being the favorite for the division and the public is betting so. Despite fielding more or less the same team, the Cowboys command 51% of all bets on the NFC East division winner as of early August. The defending division champion Eagles had just 21% of the betting handle, 5% above the Giants and 35% below the Cowboys. Each year, the NFC East is a wild race to the finish and there’s no reason to believe differently this season.
Past NFC East division winners
| Year | Winner | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Philadelphia Eagles | 9-7 |
| 2018 | Dallas Cowboys | 10-6 |
| 2017 | Philadelphia Eagles* | 13-3 |
| 2016 | Dallas Cowboys | 13-3 |
| 2015 | Washington Redskins | 9-7 |
| 2014 | Dallas Cowboys | 12-4 |
| 2013 | Philadelphia Eagles | 10-6 |
| 2012 | Washington Redskins | 10-6 |
| 2011 | New York Giants* | 9-7 |
| 2010 | Philadelphia Eagles | 10-6 |
* Super Bowl champion
How to bet on NFL division winners
You have your info, you know your pick, now what do you do with it? To echo earlier advice, shop around. Sportsbooks offer varying prices on everything, so we highly recommend looking at every book to grab the best number available.
When reading an odds table, there’s several numbers of note. The first is the odds, which tells you who is favored (lower numbers are favored) and how much a successful bet would earn you. For example, a $100 bet on Dallas (+100) would win you $100 with a total payout of $200. A $100 bet on the Giants (+900) would pay $900 for a total payout of $1,000.
Next is the handle, which tells you what percentage of the total amount bet on the NFC East division winner each team commands. For example, the Giants have 16% of the handle– meaning 16% of all money bet on the NFC East winner has gone to the Giants. Last is the percentage of bets, which refers to the number of bets– not the amount– wagered on each team. The Eagles have 36% of all bets, which doesn’t reflect how much was bet (the Eagles have 21% of the handle, meaning smaller betting amounts are being placed on the Eagles).
A popular tactic when it comes to a division as tight and uncertain as the NFC East, it might be worth hedging your bet. “Hedging” refers to placing a bet on two teams– one you think is the winner and one you want as insurance to win that bet money back. For example, if you put $200 down on Dallas (-106) to take the division, it might be worth throwing another $40 down on Philadelphia (+140) too. A $200 bet on the Cowboys (-106) would have a total payout of $388.60. Should the Eagles (+140) win, that $40 bet would pay out a total of $96, nearly covering your original bet but is small enough to still reap a $148.60 win should the original bet succeed. Just make sure you’re shopping around for the best lines to ensure you get the most out of your dollar.
NFL division betting previews
| AFC | NFC |
|---|---|
| AFC East | NFC East |
| AFC North | NFC North |
| AFC South | NFC South |
| AFC West | NFC West |